Mihrab Nabi Zakariyya (محراب النبي زكريا) marks the sanctuary associated with Prophet Zakariyya (AS) and Sayyidah Maryam inside Masjid al-Aqsa. The mihrab…
Mihrab Nabi Zakariyya (محراب النبي زكريا) marks the sanctuary associated with Prophet Zakariyya (AS) and Sayyidah Maryam inside Masjid al-Aqsa. The mihrab lies in a chamber adjoining the eastern side of al-Jami al-Qibli, the principal prayer hall at the southern end of the Masjid al-Aqsa compound. The Jerusalem Awqaf places it north of Maqam al-Arba'in and south of the prayer hall’s eastern entrance. Prophet Zakariyya and Sayyidah Maryam Prophet Zakariyya (AS) was entrusted with the care of Sayyidah Maryam. The Qur'an relates that whenever he entered her mihrab, a secluded place of worship, he found that Allah had provided for her. There Prophet Zakariyya (AS) called upon Allah for righteous offspring. “Whenever Zachariah visited her in the sanctuary, he found her supplied with provisions. He exclaimed, ‘O Mary! Where did this come from?’ She replied, ‘It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wills without limit.’ Then and there Zachariah prayed to his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord! Grant me—by your grace—righteous offspring. You are certainly the Hearer of all prayers.’” Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:37–38 The following ayah records that the angels called to Prophet Zakariyya (AS) while he stood praying in the mihrab and gave him the news of Prophet Yahya (AS). The name of this Jerusalem mihrab preserves that Qur'anic connection between Prophet Zakariyya (AS), Sayyidah Maryam and worship in the sacred precinct.